Poverty Must Be Addressed to Sustain Democracy — Atiku, Sanusi, Onaiyekan, Others
Prominent Nigerian leaders including Atiku Abubakar, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and Nasir El-Rufai have called for decisive action against poverty, warning that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on it.
They made these remarks during a public lecture marking the 60th birthday of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, held in Abuja on Saturday.
Theme of the Lecture:
“Weaponisation of Poverty as a Means of Underdevelopment: A Case Study of Nigeria.”
Atiku: End the Use of Poverty as a Political Tool
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stressed that poverty must no longer be used to manipulate the masses. He urged leaders at all levels to live up to their responsibilities and ensure policies uplift citizens rather than keep them dependent.
“We must stop weaponising poverty. Our democracy cannot survive when people are held captive by hunger,” he said.
Cardinal Onaiyekan: Politics Should Be Service, Not Self-Enrichment
The Catholic Prelate of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, emphasized that true democracy begins when politics becomes a sincere service to the people, not a path to personal gain.
“Let the people choose their leaders freely and fairly. Only then will we begin to address the root causes of poverty,” he asserted.
Sanusi: Elites Are Out of Touch With the Poor
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Emir of Kano and former CBN Governor, stated that he didn’t fully understand the depth of Nigeria’s poverty until he became Emir.
“Do we really love the people, or just the power to rule them? Our priorities are wrong—we build bridges in cities, while rural areas lack hospitals and clean water.”
El-Rufai: Leadership Choice Is the Real Problem
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted that poverty becomes a political weapon when bad leaders are voted in. He said politicians aren’t smart enough to weaponize poverty unless citizens allow it.
“The electorate must choose leaders who can truly lift them out of poverty,” he urged.
Other Contributions:
- Prof. Usman Yusuf linked most hospital cases to poverty-induced social problems, citing corruption and poor governance as root causes.
- Rotimi Amaechi stated that hunger fuels insecurity and emphasized that the power to elect leaders lies with the people.
- Dr. Chidi Amuta, guest lecturer and visiting scholar at Cambridge University, argued that democracy must reconnect with the realities of the poor to remain meaningful.
“Let democracy be measured by the living conditions of the poor, not elite privilege,” Amuta said.
The event was chaired by Prof. Wole Soyinka and attended by dignitaries including former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson and several traditional rulers.
